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[Moff]

Maybe they had some type of food/stamina system in place at one point during development that they removed and just replaced with added XP?

thats definitely how it seems, one of the first qusts of the game is to kill an animal to eat. I thought this would be an basic part of the game, even if it was as simple as regaining health.

 

[Andrew.]

I don't mind the salvage component, as it kinda makes sense that Lara would find random shit strewn about the island, and could use it to upgrade the gear she has. Killing deer and picking berries for XP though is pretty retarded.

I dont mind going after the animals, especially since Im trying to max out all of my upgrades and skills. Playing with a headset on, it was cool going around that base listening for squeaking rats. The upgrades to find more salvage and XP on animals helps too.

 

[mxgt]

Not gonna lie, at five hours in the only reason I'm still playing is because of the graphics on PC.

 

[aristotle]

If anyone wants a Zac Levi multiplayer character code, email contests@thenerdmachine.com

Console needs to be specified I think.

Thanks for the heads up. It's Xbox only for some reason

If you would like a free code to play as Zac Levi in Tomb Raider’s Multiplayer mode, email us @ contests@thenerdmachine.com.

Please note, these codes are one per email and only work for XBOX.

Codes can take up to 24 hours for delivery.

While supplies last.

From Zac's (I believe) website.

 

[Skilletor]

I disagree. I thought the AI was pretty good, when Lara is reloading you can even hear them scream" She is reloading, get her!" or something like that. It was a nice touch. They also take cover and tried to flank me a couple of times.

The only thing i really really did not like about this game was when Lara raged around while fighting. "I'm coming for you bastards!" and shit like that. That was so stupid.

They scream stuff, but it doesn't seem to matter. They try to flank me by running at me forgetting cover. They take cover, but leave their heads poking out for easy headshots. They'll stand near a guy with flaming torches so that when I kill him, for some reason he sets himself on fire and takes a few more people out with him.

The AI is shit in this game. The combat is a joke since Lara is invincible and the islanders are stupid.

 

[TGO]

Not sure if this is known, but Model Megan Farquhar is who the new in game Lara is based on,

more photos here, http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/756494/viewall
I'm not sure if I see it but apparently they scan her face for Lara
nice looking girl either way

 

[MoGamesXNA]

Things I didn't like or care for

Straight up offensive supporting cast. Direct and straight-to-the-point black woman? Indian guy with intuition for the mystic? Distant scientist/professor with no regards to ethics? Grumpy Irish drunkard? I cannot for the life of me imagine a creative person sitting in the writing team and saying "okay, so we need a calm Indian, a loud-mouthed Black, an Irish drunk! Let's get started!"

The game never comments on Lara's murderous nature

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

How brilliant can these writers be if they're "just video games" so you can't complain about one dimensional stereotypes making up the bulk of the cast

 

[Skilletor]

How brilliant can these writers be if they're "just video games" so you can't complain about one dimensional stereotypes making up the bulk of the cast

All the while forcing their "experience" on the player while taking control away from us and trying to make the story seem important.

 

[spandexmonkey]

Okay so that moment

Spoiler

when Lara gets the grenade launcher and goes into rampage mode

is pretty fucking awesome.

I enjoyed the way this game transforms Lara, but man I can't wait for a sequal where she's at peak bad ass from the start.

 

[krae_man]

The hit triangle QTE's keep killing me. I can't seem to get the timing right. Other then that I'm having a blast.

 

[george_us]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

Crystal Dynamics opened the door to this kind of criticism when they went on and on about the story and how the writers would make you care for Lara. If the narrative wasn't a huge part of the game I doubt many people would even give a shit about the story.

 

[FatalMuzza]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

Right on. Games to some people are competing alongside the Academy Award nomination crowd. Ignoring that video games are a medium unto themselves, delivering an experience that is a conglomeration of varied mediums.

Of course I do expect refinement over time as the industry matures and moves forward. But shees.

 

[I'm an expert]

Our industry has brilliant writers...? Where?

 

[UpperCaseN]

Our industry has brilliant writers...? Where?

999

 

[Derrick01]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

You do realize CD spent months, if not years, telling us how they were basically going to advance storytelling in the industry with this game right? That leaves them open to this kind of criticism of lazy writing and plot devices.

A lot of people here including me were saying "just focus on the fucking gameplay", which they didn't do, so it's fair to call them out for they said was their focus.

 

[I'm an expert]

999

Ah, personally never played it. But I'd agree most of the talented writers are from Japan.

 

[Skilletor]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

I would rather they did that as well. Pity the game we got only focuses on 1 of the 3 things you've listed.

 

[FatalMuzza]

Crystal Dynamics opened the door to this kind of criticism when they went on and on about the story and how the writers would make you care for Lara. If the narrative wasn't a huge part of the game I doubt many people would even give a shit about the story.

Wait, wait. Sort of like every movie trailer that makes the movie look more compelling than it usually is? Or like film stars touring, selling the movie on all the talk shows describing what a life changing experience it has been just being part of this Amazing upcoming film.

God forbid gaming takes on a few Hollywood techniques. Or basic marketing 101 more likely.

 

[Lime]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

*sigh* This is equivalent to the "turn your brain off argument". I wish I could find the relevant link right now.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

Yet the story is front and center and forced upon you.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

I can't believe you would say that my contribution isn't worth the bother. I list and explain my problems with the game and point out how the game can be improved, yet you try to dismiss this constructive feedback as depressing and counter-productive for games to improve.

I seriously have no idea why you wouldn't want a discussion on the merits and flaws of the game.

 

[Derrick01]

Wait, wait. Sort of like every movie trailer that makes the movie look more compelling than it usually is? Or like film stars touring, selling the movie on all the talk shows describing what a life changing experience it has been just being part of this Amazing upcoming film.

God forbid gaming takes on a few Hollywood techniques. Or basic marketing 101 more likely.

God forbid someone calls them out for their misleading advertising in that case.

 

[Flightmare]

I think the AI is on par with most third person shooters out there, from what I've played so far it didn't strike me as particularly bad. It didn't take it to the next level like The Last os Us seems to be doing but it wasn't worse than what I've come to expect from these types of games either.

It's really bad, I often hear the enemys shooting at their own cover...

 

[Skilletor]

lol @ people defending the shit story forced upon the player.

You do realize CD spent months, if not years, telling us how they were basically going to advance storytelling in the industry with this game right? That leaves them open to this kind of criticism of lazy writing and plot devices.

A lot of people here including me were saying "just focus on the fucking gameplay", which they didn't do, so it's fair to call them out for they said was their focus.

Remember when CD said they wouldn't do a demo for the game because they didn't want to spoil the story?

Good times. Good times.

Wait, wait. Sort of like every movie trailer that makes the movie look more compelling than it usually is? Or like film stars touring, selling the movie on all the talk shows describing what a life changing experience it has been just being part of this Amazing upcoming film.

God forbid gaming takes on a few Hollywood techniques. Or basic marketing 101 more likely.

Yeah, let's just accept that something is how it is and not talk about it. Close down neogaf. No need for discussion here. Back to youtube comments I go.

 

[Ricker]

I think some of you guys demand or expect too much story wise in games sometimes...I think Lara is great in this,the Tower climb for example and reaction when she got up there,with the view in the background and the cheers and all that was pretty well done I think...

 

[insmileoutblood]

I'm really enjoying this, and finding collectables (which is usually when the ennui consumes me in games) is actually pretty great. There's such a sense of atmosphere throughout.

 

[Lime]

Right on. Games to some people are competing alongside the Academy Award nomination crowd. Ignoring that video games are a medium unto themselves, delivering an experience that is a conglomeration of varied mediums.

Of course I do expect refinement over time as the industry matures and moves forward. But shees.

I don't see the problem in calling a spade a spade. This does not entail that the game's narrative has to be the next Tarkovski or Ulysses, it just means that I mind when being treated with nonsensical and low quality.

 

[FatalMuzza]

lol @ people defending the shit story forced upon the player.



Remember when CD said they wouldn't do a demo for the game because they didn't want to spoil the story?

Good times. Good times.




Yeah, let's just accept that something is how it is and not talk about it. Close down neogaf. No need for discussion here. Back to youtube comments I go.

You're probably right. It's obvious people are suffering personal injury on account of how offended they're sensibilities are by this abomination. This place is hazardous to ones Health. Shutting down is the right thing to do.

 

[Lime]

The "it's just a videogame" or "it's just a shitty narrative, it doesn't matter, just turn your brain off" is equivalent to what Film Critic Hulk talked about in regards to film assessment of quality (long text with caps incoming):

HULK NOT KIDDING. HULK WATCHES ALL KINDS OF FILMS WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF ATTENTION. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH "DIFFICULTY" OR SOME MOVIES BEING MIND-FUCKS. OR HAVING COMPLICATED PLOTS. AGAIN, HULK USUALLY NEEDS A SECOND WATCH WITH THOSE JUST AS MUCH AS YOU.

NO, WHAT HULK IS TALKING ABOUT HERE IS A CONSTANT STATE OF AWARENESS. A STATE OF QUESTIONING WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT GENRE OR AUDIENCE, JUST ASK THE MOST SIMPLE QUESTIONS: WHY IS THIS CHARACTER DOING THIS? WHAT DO THEY WANT? WHAT DO THEY NEED? WHAT IS THEIR PSYCHE? HOW DO THESE PEOPLE RELATE TO EACH OTHER? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT PERSON WOULD DO? IS THAT NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD DO? IF THEY'RE DOING IT, WHY? HOW DOES THIS ALL MAKES SENSE? WHAT DOES THE MOVIE ITSELF THINK ABOUT THESE CHARACTERS?

BECAUSE GOOD MOVIES ASK AND THEN ARTICULATE THESE VERY SAME QUESTIONS. REALLY. EVERY. SINGLE. GOOD. MOVIE. THIS IS HOW THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CINEMA OPERATES. IT IS HOW THEY ARE UNDERSTOOD AND BECOME RESONANT. IT IS HOW WE BECOME INVESTED. IT IS HOW WE CARE.

NOW... THERE ARE SOME THAT CLAIM THIS PROCESS OF "BEING AWARE" SOMEHOW RUINS MOVIES. THAT YOU ARE THEREFORE "OVER-THINKING" AND NOT ENJOYING IT.

HULK POLITELY CALLS BULLSHIT.

IT IS NOT OVER-THINKING IT. IT IS JUST DOING BOTH. EVERY SINGLE PUNY HUMAN BEING HAS THE ABILITY TO DUAL-PROCESS WITH AN EMOTION AND A THOUGHT. EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. AND WHEN THOSE TWO LINE UP IN UNISON WE ARE BECOME INVOLVED IN WHAT WE ARE SEEING. WE ARE BEING PRESENT.

EVEN THE MOST GRAND, POPULAR BLOCKBUSTER DOES THIS. MOVIES LIKE JAWS DO THIS. THEY COMBINE CHARACTER MOTIVATION AND TENSION AND ACTION. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THEIR CHARACTERS AND ACTIONS MAKE SENSE, SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO LET OUR BRAINS STOP US. IT SIMPLY MAKES THE VISCERAL EXPERIENCE WORK EVEN BETTER.

THERE IS NO REAL VALIDITY TO "TURNING YOUR BRAIN OFF" ARGUMENT. THAT'S PURELY AN EXCUSE TO GIVE A PASS TO SOMETHING ONE KNOWS IS BAD. AND IT'S AN EVEN BIGGER LIE BECAUSE THE BEST POPCORN MOVIES CAN ACTUALLY TURN YOUR BRAIN ON.

WE ALL TRULY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO THINK AND ENJOY. WE DO IT CONSTANTLY WITHOUT BEING AWARE OF IT. EVERYONE. THE THING WE GET HUNG UP ON IS NOT THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND, BUT SIMPLY THE ABILITY TO ARTICULATE IT.

AND HULK FULLY ADMIT, THE ABILITY TO READ AND ARTICULATE CHARACTER MOTIVATION? YEAH THAT TAKES A LITTLE WORK AND PRACTICE. BUT THINK OF HOW ONE LEARNS A LANGUAGE. FOR SO LONG YOU SPEND TIME PROCESSING HOW YOU HEAR A LANGUAGE, UNTIL AT A CERTAIN POINT, YOU CAN SIMPLY PROCESS IT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO CONVERSE. AND LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE OF CINEMA IS THE SAME EXACT THING.

AND WE ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT. IF YOU'RE READING THIS WEBSITE THEN THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU DO IT OFTEN. CINEMA LOVERS LEARN THAT THERE IS NOTHING MORE PERFECT IN THIS WORLD THAT WATCH TO WATCH A FILM WITH MIND, BODY AND SOUL IN UNISON.

 

[CambriaRising]

You do realize CD spent months, if not years, telling us how they were basically going to advance storytelling in the industry with this game right? That leaves them open to this kind of criticism of lazy writing and plot devices.

A lot of people here including me were saying "just focus on the fucking gameplay", which they didn't do, so it's fair to call them out for they said was their focus.

Now you are just lying.

 

[NJBorn]

Not sure if this is known, but Model Megan Farquhar is who the new in game Lara is based on,

more photos here, http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/756494/viewall
I'm not sure if I see it but apparently they scan her face for Lara
nice looking girl either way

throw quotes around that image... makes it smaller

 

[SimpleGamer]

I plan on buying this game but how many hours is it?

 

[Derrick01]

Now you are just lying.

No I'm not. There is no form of gameplay in this game that has any kind of depth to it. The platforming and stealth are automatically handled by the game and the combat is basically duck hunt behind a piece of cover (and sometimes not even that with how bad the AI is, they'll stand out in the open sometimes).

 

[Lime]

999

Ah, personally never played it. But I'd agree most of the talented writers are from Japan.

Needle in a haystack. It's the exception to the rule.

 

[Skilletor]

You're probably right. It's obvious people are suffering personal injury on account of how offended they're sensibilities are by this abomination. This place is hazardous to ones Health. Shutting down is the right thing to do.

I really don't understand your point. If conversation bothers you, ignore it. Like I'm going to do to you from now on.

I think some of you guys demand or expect too much story wise in games sometimes...I think Lara is great in this,the Tower climb for example and reaction when she got up there,with the view in the background and the cheers and all that was pretty well done I think...

And I think some of you guys don't expect enough.

 

[Baloonatic]

Just finished this up. I posted in another thread that I was wrong for thinking the game was just going to be a UC clone, but I wasn't all that far when I said that.

I actually mostly agree with what Derrick said. The hub areas are fun to explore and actually make me feel like I have some freedom in the game and then the rest is just setpiece after setpiece. So many "running in a straight line while things explode" moments.

XP system is terribly implemented because the skills are mostly pretty worthless. Same with the salvage and weapon upgrades. I think it would have been better to stick with the weapon parts only, make them difficult/rewarding to find and then make them a significant upgrade to the previous weapon.

Automatic platforming, focus on story and characters but have them all be terrible, enemies not fun to fight, stuff like armoured enemies and riot shield enemies being lifted straight from UC etc. etc. I started off pleasantly surprised and ended up disappointed.

 

[CambriaRising]

No I'm not. There is no form of gameplay in this game that has any kind of depth to it. The platforming and stealth are automatically handled by the game and the combat is basically duck hunt behind a piece of cover (and sometimes not even that with how bad the AI is, they'll stand out in the open sometimes).

Yeah, I am sure they just typed "Gameplay" into the Game Maker 3000 and it spat Tomb Raider's mechanics out.

To say they didn't "focus on gameplay" is asinine. You are basically a joke character at this point.

 

[FatalMuzza]

I really don't understand your point. If conversation bothers you, ignore it. Like I'm going to do to you from now on.



And I think some of you guys don't expect enough.

Like I'm not providing the Conversation. It's all making sense now, perpetual overreactor right here ladies and gents...

 

[Derrick01]

I guess we have different ideas on what focusing on gameplay means. If 2/3 of it is auto and the remaining 1/3 is no better than the genre average, that doesn't tell me they focused a lot on the gameplay.

 

[Skilletor]

Yeah, I am sure they just typed "Gameplay" into the Game Maker 3000 and it spat Tomb Raider's mechanics out.

To say they didn't "focus on gameplay" is asinine. You are basically a joke character at this point.

Nah, I agree with him. I think it was lime that described this game basically as junk food. It takes no thought or effort on my part. Outside of a few moments, the game has been average at best. That people think these huge set pieces where you pretty much just hold up to succeed are so amazing says a lot about how important gameplay is in this game.

 

[Spycarnegy]

I'm loving this game man.

 

[Evolved1]

Great, now I'm going to be imagining Mickey Rooney yanking it while playing later

When are you planning to weigh in on this (TR)?

 

[Andrew.]

I'm loving this game man.

Why are you having fun with this game? You should be over analyzing the bejesus out of it. It's much more enjoyable that way.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

Ugh. Seriously? It's a video game, not fucking Shakespeare. Goddamn, some people are so sensitive to the most trivial of trivialities.

I'd rather they focus on the exploration, combat and gameplay thanks. The premise, characters and basic story work fine in the context of the game.

/laughing/

I can't believe you actually listed those as complaints. I feel so sorry for the brilliant writers and game designers in our industry. Having to constantly wade through this kind of feedback would be incredibly depressing.

I wish to fuck I could work in this imaginary industry of yours where anything I create is both immune to expectation and simultaneously to criticism.

You're probably right. It's obvious people are suffering personal injury on account of how offended they're sensibilities are by this abomination. This place is hazardous to ones Health. Shutting down is the right thing to do.

When did logical fallacies become so hip?

When are you planning to weigh in on this (TR)?

My PS3 shut itself off last night for no apparent reason. I gave a rest last night in case it was overheating.

Gonna try to get started in this tonight if all seems well.

Would be a bit ticked if the thing is dying, it's my already my second PS3.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Why are you having fun with this game? You should be over analyzing the bejesus out of it. It's much more enjoyable that way.

Please tell me you're not gonna be this stupid in the Bioshock thread

 

[Spycarnegy]

Whenever I'm having fun with a game...I just leave it at that man, so much fun!! Dat dodge!

 

[EagleBurnn]

Friend who has been playing this game texted me that it's like Uncharted, but better. How much truth is there to this? I decided to pick up SimCity instead. I accepted my mistake and thinking about getting this game now.

 

[Blu10]

Lots of hate in this tread.

Just finished it last night and really enjoyed it. Nice blend of lost and uncharted. I really liked the island, and hearing little bits and pieces from the odds and ends you found throughout.

I do wish there was more to the "tombs" though. I'm hoping there will be a real tomb through dlc, and not just a bunch of multiplayer additions, as I don't think I will even play a single game of that.

 

[Broder Salsa]

Friend who has been playing this game texted me that it's like Uncharted, but better. How much truth is there to this? I decided to pick up SimCity instead. I accepted my mistake and thinking about getting this game now.

Gameplay is better imo. Set pieces, story telling and dialouge uncharted are still a good bit better in Uncharted. So it's kind of what you factor in the most.

 

[Tadale]

I sorta feel like this is thread-worthy: Keighly's Final Hours feature for Tomb Raider is up on Steam. I haven't looked at this one, but all of the other Final Hours I've read have been excellent, and pretty much best of the best as far as making-of features go.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/233410/

 

[Domcorleone]

I love uncharted to death but this cinematic gameplay shit has to stop or be toned down severely. It seems every second in this game there is a set piece or a situation in which control is being taken away from me, its like U3.

I am loving the game and I enjoy it the most when they let me just run around and explore. Unlike U1 and U3 the combat situations dont leave me in a "playground" of sorts to experiment with different strategies. The stealth is better than Uncharted though that is for sure.

Also, the game is called Tomb Raider but I can only "raid" like 5 tombs? WTF?